Landscape Design Principles
Beth MacFawn Landscape Design, Inc. provides a broad array of unique, creative opportunities to enhance or transform your landscape. Whether a cottage garden, an inviting environment featuring sculpture and stonework, or the rehabilitation of a property to its natural state using native plants, Beth’s experience and expertise will bring harmony to your surroundings.
Water
Beth’s designs incorporate low water consumption principles, which include using drought tolerant plant species, keeping sun aspects, wind, and soil moisture in mind, and employing efficient irrigation, including use of a ‘smart controller.’ Depending on the soil’s makeup, plant types, winds, precipitation, etc., the controller adjusts the watering time after rainstorms.
Zones
She also considers how the irrigation system is designed and zoned. Creating zones for each sun aspect encourages less water use (west side is typically hotter and drier than east side, for example.) Installing separate zones for lawns, planting beds using drip emitters or netafim, and using bubblers or netafim for trees encourages less water evaporation, directs water to the roots, and results in healthier plants rather than in overwatering.
Design Process
Clear communication is of utmost importance in ensuring successful, satisfying results. This is achieved by following the detailed process that Beth uses with each client:
1. Design Development and Site Analysis
This entails site visits to analyze and inventory existing vegetation, assess soils, determine climate, grade, and drainage, and select which property views to enhance.
2. Presentation of Concept Ideas
Considerations such as pedestrian traffic patterns, hardscape and planting areas, water features, etc. are addressed. A free hand drawing is rendered, using functional diagrams.
3. Preliminary Design Draft to Client
In addition to the above considerations, samples of hardscape materials and mulch are presented. Plenty of time for discussion of the hand drawing establishes a secure fit between the client’s vision and the landscape design. The design is rendered with ink and mylar on a scaled landscape site plan.
4. Final Landscape Design
The final design will reflect and further integrate the creative ideas and functionality discussed at meetings with the client. Landscape design will include a plant list, hardscape dimensions, and irrigation zones. If desired, a lighting scheme can be incorporated.
5. Project Coordination
Clients may utilize Beth’s project coordination services, taking advantage of her professional relationships with Gallatin Valley craftspeople, artisans, builders and stonemasons with a proven track record of exhibiting outstanding quality workmanship. More on Project Coordination.
6. The Blueprint is Just the Beginning
The creative evolution of a project soars to a new level with Beth on site, overseeing the implementation of your unique landscape design. At this stage the more intimate, hands-on aspects of installation reveal additional opportunities to enhance the existing design.
Whether Beth is your single point of contact, or collaborates with installers and landscape contractors, her experienced eye and extensive knowledge will transform your property from a blueprint into an exceptional environment for the enjoyment of sight and soul!